Bearing pressure in Ram concept

Question

Hi 
 
 I am designing mat foundation in Ram concept. 
 What difference are maximum and minimum bearing pressure plan? 
 How calculate the value? 
 Is it depending on the loading direction? 
 Which one do I use it for design?

Seth Guthrie · Answer

In Ram Concept, for soil bearing design, there can be several load combinations, and potentially several load patterns that each produce spring reactions, and by extension soil bearing pressure values. Ram Concept envelopes all of these cases and then plots the largest compression values in a Max Soil Bearing Pressure plan, and it plots the minimum values (potentially negative values) on the Min Soil Bearing Pressure plan. The Max pressure plot is important for checking if the allowable pressure is exceeded. The minimum plot is important for checking stability. 
 For further reading, check out these topics is the program manual: 
 
 Chapter 11 Specifying Load Combinations 
 Section 30.1.6 Zero tension iteration options 
 Chapter 32 Plotting Results 
 Section 53.9 Result categories in RAM Concept 
 
 Also these prior posts: https://communities.bentley.com/search?q=ram%20concept%20soil%20pressure&group=326#serptag=ram%20concept

Seth Guthrie · Answer

If you are using the Soil Bearing Rule Set Design plot then no, that is an envelope of load combinations (and patterns). You can plot the bearing pressure for individual load combinations, however.

Seth Guthrie · Answer

Any load combinations with Active Rule Set = Soil Bearing (those are service combos by default).